Saddles and Soul: A Juneteenth Black Western Celebration

Honor the legacy of Juneteenth as a Texas holiday and the long history of Black Western culture. Join us for a day of fun, including line dancing to sets by local DJs, photo activations, art-making, and Juneteenth eats. Plus, enjoy special after-hours access to Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys.

Schedule

12–8 pm: Games and snacks
The Norm, 1st Floor
Come to our restaurant for some good old-fashioned family fun. The Norm is transforming itself into a game room for one night only. Grab a table with all the Uno, Jenga, checkers, and Yahtzee you can handle (first come, first served)! Plus, enjoy a full bar and a special Juneteenth snack menu.

3–5 pm: Art-making
Education Center, 1st Floor
Be inspired by the work of Texas artist Deborah Roberts, featured in Giants, and create a collage bandana to take home.

3–8 pm: Food vendors and bar  
Sculpture Garden, 1st Floor (rain location: Beaux-Arts Court, 3rd Floor)
Enjoy southern-inspired eats and drinks by the Brooklyn Sweet Spot, Aunts et Uncles, and Brooklyn Museum chef David Thomas.

4–8 pm: Music and line dancing
Sculpture Garden, 1st Floor (rain location: Beaux-Arts Court, 3rd Floor)
Feel the cookout vibes with breezy sets by DJ Quinnette (4–6 pm) and DJ Freedem (6–8 pm). Also learn how to line dance with artist Wildcat Ebony Brown.

4:30–7:30 pm: Community portraits 
Sculpture Garden, 1st Floor (rain location: Beaux-Arts Court, 3rd Floor)
Have your portrait taken by Souls in Focus, a NYC-based, community-driven collective and creative agency. Pose in front of a custom backdrop by James Umbrella Creative.

5–7 pm: Denim customization station
Sculpture Garden, 1st Floor (rain location: Beaux-Arts Court, 3rd Floor)
BYOD (bring your own denim) and adorn it with help from Hansel Clothing. Learn techniques for upcycling and enhancing your denim with a variety of materials.

6–7:30 pm: Giants after hours 
Great Hall, 1st Floor
Gain exclusive evening access to Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys (tickets required).

This program is free with Museum admission. Purchase separate tickets to Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys for $25. Member tickets to the exhibition are free. Not a Member? Join today!

Image caption and credit: Juneteenth at the Brooklyn Museum, 2022. (Photo: Kolin Mendez)